United Way is hoping to engage a new generation of donors and volunteers with its launch of GenNext.

The Seeing is Believing Tour kicks off the initiative on Thursday night at the Commodore Grand Café and Lounge.

Seeing is Believing is a United Way initiative that offers donors, volunteers and community members the chance to see first-hand where their donations are going through visits to the nonprofit agencies that benefit.

The GenNext Council is comprised of young professionals from different sectors who take on leadership roles in Seeing is Believing. Members of the local council will be introduced at Thursday's event.

They organize fundraisers, promote volunteer activities, encourage community service and provide a forum for people to connect.

"United Way's GenNext is a group of like-minded people in their 20s and 30s who not only want to get out and meet others, but to do so while promoting social responsibility," said Brendan Shaw, who chairs the council.

It has always been difficult to retain young professionals in the B.C. Interior since they typically move on to larger centres, he noted.

"We have made it our goal to cater to the needs and wants of the next generation in order to ensure sustainability for our community."

The agency tour begins at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments follow at 7:30 p.m. For more information, see gennextkamloops.com.